Ashton Township, Lee County, Illinois
And here is another resource of old
Inlet! Until 1861 it was included in Bradford Township. In 1861,
it was set off by itself. It contains but one-half a government
township.
Ashton was not settled early for the
reason that, knowing the land was exceedingly rich and fertile;
speculators later bought up nearly the whole township. Not a
single settler is known to have settled here in the thirties and
even not until the late forties when in 1848, Erastus Anderson
settled here. A few weeks later his brother Timothy followed. In
December their father followed.
In 1849 a man named Hubbard settled in
the western part of the township, and in 1852 Daniel Suter
located in the town and so did H. Sanders.
Another reason for the absence of
settlers was the lack of timber. Old settlers demanded fuel.
They feared the prairies over which the winds whistled. Then
too, there was no great road or trail through that section and
naturally settlers would not seek the country so long as claims
nearer the trail were to be had.
The entrance of the Galena and Chicago
Union railroad in 1854, gave this region its first impetus.
The first church erected in Ashton was
the Methodist, in 3863. It was a temporary building to hold down
the donation of a lot until a better could be built. The second
church was a Free Methodist Church built in 3864 and it is
claimed for itself to be the first of that denomination to be
built in the state. Among the first members were Jonathan Dake,
Sidney and Melville Beach, Sylvester Forbes, Charles Butolpk,
Isaac Martin, Samuel Walker, James Reed, William Martin; Rev. J.
G. Terrol was the first pastor.
The third church was built in 1866 by
the Catholic people with a membership of fifty. The Christian
Church was built in 1868.
Among its first members were F.
Nettleton, J. P. Taylor and Peter Plantz. At first the meetings
were held in a schoolhouse.
The German Baptist Church was built just
outside of the village to the south in 1866.
In 1877 the Presbyterians erected their
church. Their first minister was Rev. S. Vale. Among the
earliest members were Samuel F. Mills, Nathan A. Petrie and
Messrs. Pollock, Griffith, Huston and Brewer.
Ashton is a wonderful little city.
Beginning with 1863 it has been visited several times with very
destructive fires. The grain elevator, loss $2,000 and the
flouring mills, loss $60,000, were burned. In 1871, the railroad
property, which consisted of two tanks, the depot and a coal
house with 1,200 tons of coal were consumed. A lumberyard and
four dwelling houses went too. The coal house was the origin.
Loss $75,000. In 1874 the hay press and an elevator were burned;
loss $30,000.
Several tragedies have been enacted in
Ashton, of the most atrocious character. A preacher named Samuel
P. McGhee, a married man, in 1877 became infatuated with another
woman. By the use of strychnine, administered in small
quantities he put his wife out of the way. When first taken ill,
the doctor was called. He attended her constantly, but the
trouble was not discovered until later. The last dose was
administered by the husband just before he left for church to
preach and hold his usual Sunday services. He was arrested at
once and placed in jail. At first he tried to fasten the blame
on his fourteen-year-old daughter and he succeeded in having her
sign an acknowledgment to that effect. But the jury did not
believe him. He was seen to throw the package containing the
last dose on an awning. It was recovered and used in evidence.
In this trial which lasted about a week
before Judge Heaton and a jury. Judge John V. Eustace defended
the prisoner. As already stated it was one of the noted trials
in the state, and Judge Eustace presented a masterful defense.
If he had not, the verdict of guilty and fourteen years, would
have been for life or hanging.
McGhee was a sleek fellow; his long
silky beard almost black, was regarded with the same affection
that the peacock has for his brilliant tail. During all the long
trial, he stroked it continually. The other tragedy was enacted
but recently Aug. 18, 1912. It was a frightful one.
Warren Sanders had married Westanna
Griffith, a young girl, almost young enough to be classed a
child. She was handsome.
In time a child was born, little Naomi.
Later the couple parted. Sanders lacked the knack of getting
along in the world. At first the father-in-law permitted him to
occupy the old home farm.
He did not succeed there and
experimented with other pursuits in town. At last Mrs. Sanders,
left him and with the child, went to live with her parents.
Reconcilements were effected, but for no lasting time. About a
year before the tragedy occurred, Mrs. Sanders went to Chicago
to seek employment. Sanders followed and for a short while they
lived together. Another separation followed. Mrs. Sanders
procured a divorce. Later the decree was reopened and there the
matter stood, when learning from the daughter at Ashton, that
his wife was to return to Ashton that night for a visit, Sanders
waited till the train arrived that night, about 1 o'clock, and
when his wife alighted, he deliberately shot her two times and
she dropped dead on the station platform. Then turning to his
mother-in-law, Mrs. Melva Griffith, who had brought the little
daughter, Naomi, down to the train; he shot the mother-in-law
twice, and then surrendered himself. He pleaded guilty to the
indictment for murder and Judge Farrand sentenced him to life
imprisonment. Mr. Harry Edwards made a remarkably able
prosecution, and Mr. John E. Erwin made a brilliant defense.
Ashton is one of the richest communities in this part of the
state. Way back in the sixties. Mills & Petrie sold $109,000
worth of general merchandise in one year in Ashton and today in
the little village the Ashton bank presents a statement of
three-quarters of a million dollars, almost. Two of the very
oldest, almost the very first business men of Ashton live there
today. They are Samuel F. Mills and Nathan A. Petrie.
In 1854 Mr. Mills came here and engaged
in the grain and lumber trade. In 1858 Mr. Petrie, his cousin,
joined him and ever since the lives of those two gentlemen have
been wrapped up as one. For years it was their custom to dress
alike; to wear moustaches alike. They were married on the same
evening, and for most of their married lives, they lived
together. Now Mr. Mills is eighty-three years old and the
devotion of Mr. Petrie, twelve years his junior, is even more
beautiful than Jonathan's devotion to David.
About two years ago Mrs. Mills died. Mr.
Mills and she had returned to the old family home in Parrish,
New York, where, retired, the comforts of the old home and the
glamour of childhood scenes might be enjoyed. On the death of
Mrs. Mills, the husband returned to Ashton, where, though
somewhat infirm, he enjoys the atmosphere of his early
successes.
In 1861, these gentlemen gave up the
grain business for general merchandizing. In this they made
fortunes. In 1867 they entered the banking business. A few years
ago they incorporated as The Ashton Bank.
Sidney Beach came out to Ogle county in
1838, later he moved across the line to Ashton; James King came
to Bradford in 1854, later he moved into Ashton; Peter Plantz
moved from Ogle county into Ashton in 1856; Melville Beach,
1852; Riley Paddock settled in Ogle county in 1837, later he
moved to Ashton; Erastus Anderson settled in Ogle county in
1846; in 1848 he moved to Ashton township; Henry Saunders, Jr.,
came here from Ogle County. Thais it will be seen that most of
the first settlers moved from Ogle county, immediately north,
and Bradford, immediately south.
What Kalamazoo is to the celery market,
Ashton promises to be to the asparagus market.
About twelve years ago, Mr. Benton
Drummond planted seven acres to asparagus. The next year he
planted five acres, making a total of twelve acres.
In three years time after planting, the
grass began to yield a crop for market. By careful tillage and
very heavy enrichments each year, the field now yields annually
three thousand cases of choice grass. During the season Mr.
Drummond hires seven people to cut and pack this grass. At first
he shipped to Chicago, but the quality of his product spread so
rapidly that very soon he was deluged with offers in other
places, and latterly, all of his shipments have been made to
Milwaukee.
Mr. Drummond's grass is labeled ''The
Drummond Grass'' and is known and prized in every asparagus
market.
In every crate there are twenty-four
boxes. Every afternoon the grass is shipped on the four o'clock
east bound train and arrives that evening in Milwaukee.
Since Mr. Drummond 's success has become
so pronounced, eight others have planted fields, so that now,
Ashton furnishes about nine-tenths of the asparagus which goes
into the Chicago market.
Ashton of Today
Sitting snugly in the midst of land, a
piece of which sold recently for $300 per acre, Ashton should
not be blamed if she were vain. But she's not. A more hospitable
people cannot be found in the county than in Ashton.
The people are a church going,
industrious and well to do people. There are no saloons here and
there have been none for a long time. There are about one
thousand people here at present I am told. Ashton is the home of
several fraternal orders. Ashton Lodge, 977, I. O. O. F., is a
very prosperous body. Frank Hart is noble grand; Arthur Dugdale
is vice grand; E. J. Yenerick is secretary and Faust Boyd is
treasurer. Rebekah Lodge, 497, has a large membership. Its
officers are as follows: Mrs. Lura Dugdale, noble grand; Mrs.
Mary Gilbert, vice grand; Mrs. Myrtle Zeller, past grand; Mrs.
Ida Bassler, secretary; Mrs. Olga Howey, treasurer; Miss Clara
Bode, warden; Miss Lena Bode, conductor; Mi's. Alice Hann,
chaplain; Mrs. Dora Putman, R. S. N. G.; Miss Hattie Brown, L.
S. N. G.; Mrs. Ora Beach, R. S. V. G.; Miss Gertrude Fell, L. S.
V. G.; Miss Lucy Hart, inside guard; Mr. John Vaupel, outside
guard.
Following is the roster of the officers
of the R. N. A., Myrtle Dade Camp 6061: Mrs. Earl Howey, oracle;
Mrs. George Van Ness, vice oracle; Mrs. George Putman, past
oracle; Mrs. Adam Eisenberg, chancelor; Miss Minnie
Aschenbrenner, recorder; Miss Ida Eisenberg, receiver; George
Putman, manager; Mrs. Roland Eisenberg, marshall; Mrs. John
Weishaar, inside sentinel; Mrs. Conrad Smith, outside sentinel.
The Masonic body is very strong.
Following are the officers of Ashton Lodge, 531, A. F. & A. M.:
John Drummond, worshipful master; Carl Schade, senior warden;
Ralph S. Charters, junior warden; George R. Charters, treasurer;
Roy W. Jeter, secretary; Charles Hunter, senior deacon; Jacob B.
Farver, junior deacon; Fred C. Mall, senior steward; Paul W.
Charters, junior steward: Laban T. Moore, marshall; Fred A.
Richardson, chaplain; John D. Charters, organist; Charles Tuck,
tyler.
O. E. S.: Mrs. Lewis Sindlinger, W. M.;
M. N. Glenn, W. P.; Mrs. Ed Chadwick, Associate M.; Mrs. Doll
Omer, secretary; Mrs. Joseph Wetzel, treasurer.
M. W. A., Camp No. 48: George Putman is
V. C.; R. J. Dean, clerk; Jo Mall, banker.
Mystic Workers: W. F. Klingebiel,
prefect; Miss Lena M. Howard, secretary; John Oesterheld,
banker.
The Ashton churches are all handsome
structures. Of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. A. E.
Ullrich is pastor. The Sunday school of this church is a marvel.
Ralph J. Dean is the very able superintendent. The Men's class
of Mr. A. W. Rosecrans has a membership of 85 men and the
average attendance is 50. In the school there are 201 members.
Of the Presbyterian Church, Rev.
McWherter is the pastor. He presides, over the Franklin Grove
church, too, I understand. Rev. Mack is the pastor of the
Lutheran church. All of these buildings are frame. The United
Evangelical, German, is a brick structure and Rev. George Walter
is the pastor. Of the Catholic Church, the pastor at Rochelle
ministers to its members. Thus it will be seen why Ashton enjoys
so much comfort and why so many good things abound there. The
schools too are of the highest order.
The new school building which cost
$35,000 is the best equipped school building in the county by
all odds. It is positively fire proof. It was occupied Dec. 8,
last. The present enrollment is 185. There are eight grades and
a four-year high school course. Diplomas from this school are
recognized by the colleges and universities which of itself
speaks volumes for the high character of the Ashton schools.
There are three teachers in the high school courses, Prof. J.
Nofsinger, superintendent; Miss Eva Nelch, principal and Miss
Alice Eddy, assistant principal. In the four lower rooms where
eight grades are taught, the teachers are John Absher, Miss
Minnie Schade, Mrs. Pearl Billmire and Miss Lena Bode.
The members of the school board are S.
T. Zeller, president: Dr. H. A. Bremmer, clerk, and E. C.
Shippee.
While dwelling on the schools I may as
well give the following historical sketch written in 1909:
''More than a half a century has passed
since the educational interests of the village of Ashton began.
The early inhabitants of the village were largely of Irish
descent. To the north it was entirely American while to the
south there were some English people and a small settlement of
French. The thrifty German population is of more recent years.
No very learned or cultured classes seem to have gilded the fair
name of Ashton in an early day. Most emphatically the people of
today are descendants of the common people, the tillers of the
soil, of which we have no regrets to express.
''As early as 1859 a school election was
held in the village of Ogle and elected James Brecumer, Daniel
Suter and George Glenn as directors. The records have it that
the first school in the place where Ashton now stands was taught
by J. A. Andrus who acted in this capacity for several terms.
The first assistant was David A. Glenn. Among the early
assistants were Maria Bradstreet, Miss Kate Buck, who taught for
the stated sum of $10 per month, and Miss Margaret Cartwright
who was engaged for $12.50 per month and furnish her own board.
Miles Tennyck and George Brewer were also among the early
teachers of the school. The above teachers taught in an old
stone schoolhouse with a frame wing located on the south side of
the present school lot.
''In 1860 the board of trustees were C.
J. Wilson, J. B. Williams and D. G. Shottenkirk.
''The first school treasurer was Aaron
Weeks.
''Owing to the needs and increasing
demand for better school advantages there was considerable
discussion as to the possibility of a new school building. The
agitation grew and found hearty cooperation among the more
progressive people of the village. These affairs took definite
shape when an election was held which resulted in the decision
for a new building. There was considerable contention over a
location for the new building. Two sites were under
consideration by the people. One side favored the site where the
present school building is and the other the more elevated
location where the Catholic Church now stands. After a
considerable excitement over the contending locations the old
one was chosen and was made larger by the district purchasing
the lot to the north which made the present school grounds. The
trustees at the time of the new building were Henry Glenn, Henry
Bly and Aaron Weeks. W. H. Emerson was clerk when the school
site was chosen.
''The material for the building was
obtained in the quarry on the north edge of the village. James
Quick superintended the work and a Chicago architect designed
the style of the building. Among those that worked upon the
building were Isaac Earl, Wilburn Earl, and J. S. Thompson; the
latter making the pattern work for the stone. There is no
accurate record as to the actual cost of the building, but upon
inquiry we find that a bond of $19,000 was given by the district
and other additional expenses brought the cost up to $23,000.
The building was completed in the fall of 1869 and school was
begun in the new building the first Monday after New Years,
1870, with H. M. Halleck as principal.
''No town in this part of the state
could boast of better school advantages at this time than
Ashton. The building was a monument to the district and was
considered superior to any in this section of the country.
Foreign scholars from a radius of many miles were enrolled as
members of the Ashton High School, there being so many that it
was necessary to utilize a portion of the upper hall for a part
of the scholars. During the history of the school which covers a
period of forty years there have been seventeen principals. The
first high school assistant was Miss Olive Rogers. Among the
most successful of the early principals were M. E. Phillips, A.
W. Rosecrans and H. V. Baldwin. There are other good teachers,
that preceded and followed these and did their share towards
raising the school to a higher standard, but there can be no
valid objection in giving these men the honor of such successful
effort.
''Many able scholars and professional
men have had their preparatory work in this school. The first
class that graduated from the school was under M. E. Phillips in
1874. The class consisted of Lyman Booth, Mrs. Westana Glenn
Rosecrans and Mrs. Maggie Brown Byers. Since that time many good
classes have been graduated from the school whose members are
proud that the Ashton High School is their alma mater. The
Ashton High School Alumni Association is a flourishing
organization and its influence will be a force for good for the
school.
''The influence of the former students
and the general interest of the patrons of the school and the
people of the village is the best evidence of the spirit and
success of the school.
''Perhaps some of the older inhabitants
of the village, as well as the younger generation, will be
interested in the above sketch. To the critical reader some
errors may be detected in data and names, but often school
records are poorly kept and errors in dates are very frequent
and sometimes annoyingly so, and for this reason much of the
information has been obtained from inquiry. Mere facts have only
been stated and someone after me has the field for
embellishment.''
Possibly another reason why Ashton
enjoys so much praise as not only a live village but one so
mighty clean, is because its municipal affairs are conserved so
creditably by its officers: J. B. Farver, president; Ralph J.
Dean, clerk; Harry Pierce, E. J. Yenerick, Clifford Knapp,
Charles Tuck, Adam Strabe and J. W. Griese, trustees. Ashton
Township and its surrounding territory are regarded as a German
community very largely and that of itself assures Ashton of
wealth and sturdiness of character.
Charles Heibenthal is supervisor; Fred
Beach is collector; S. T. Zeller, Sr., is assessor and the
highway commissioners are O. W. Bowers, Henry Beitz and Earl
Howey. George Stephan is town clerk.
Naturally in listing the business houses
of a place, the banks come into view first. The Ashton Bank is a
very prosperous concern. Its history has been noticed already.
Its published report Jan. 20th, last, shows loans, $420,000;
bonds, $62,000; cash means, $79,000. Its capital stock is
$50,000 and its surplus is $25,000. Its deposits are
$482,253.10.
The Farmers Bank was organized April 10,
1905. Its president is W. C. Yenerick; vice president, Lewis
Sindlinger; cashier, E. J. Yenerick and the directors are W. C.
Yenerick, Lewis Sindlinger, John M. Killmer, William Krug and
Will Sandrock. The beautiful new building for this bank will be
ready for occupancy in a very short while. Thus equipped the
Ashton banks will have the finest homes to be found in any small
town in the state. By state-ment dated January 19th, this bank
is shown to have a capital stock of $25,000 and undivided
profits of $3,234.42. Its deposits are $104,414.21. Its cash
means are approximately $20,000.
At the present time, Ashton markets
450,000 bushels of grain every year. Before the elevators were
built down at Middlebury on the electric road which runs from
Lee Center, Ashton shipped 650,000 bushels, and inasmuch as the
Middlebury houses are run by Ashton people, it might be classed
as Ashton grain to this very day.
The two grain elevators of Ashton are
run by O. C. Baker and R. W. Jeter.
A little further up the track, Nathan
Sanders has his sheep yards. Annually, Mr. Sanders feeds
thousands of sheep which are taken off here in transit and he
feeds them until they are fully-rested from their usually long
journey from the West. Sometimes he buys and feeds his own
sheep; but he prefers feeding for others. This business amounts
to a large profit annually.
The physicians are Drs. William
Petersmyer, C M. Cheadle, H. A. Bremmer, E. M. Sheldon and James
Brown. Dr. S. C. Gould is a D. D. S., and so is C. R. Root. H.
L. Winder is the veterinarian.
There are no lawyers in Ashton; just why
is inexplicable because in the probate court at least, there is
a vast amount of legal business for this community to be
transacted.
The business houses of the Ashton of
today are: A. W. Rosecrans, general store; C W. Jonker, jeweler;
Harry Pierce, barber; G. R. Charters & Son, drugs; Randle &
Lake, shoes; M. N. Glen, hardware; The Passtime theater, picture
show, by Philip Ereich; Conrad Kliebe, butcher; The H. D. Mosher
candy store; Mrs. William Fee, gift shop; Jordan & Paddock,
blacksmith shop; Carl Wedler, jeweler; J. B. Farver, blacksmith;
Philip Ereich, pool room; William Meister, livery; F. H. Boyd,
garage; W. J. Sams, blacksmith; J. C. Griffith, lumber and coal;
McCade & Weishaar, implements; Charles Bode, harness and
shoemaking; Oscar Schade, pool room; Louis Sindlinger, tinner;
F. P. Eisenberg, 10 cent novelty store; George Stephan,
furniture and undertaking; F. I. Smith, drugs; Adam Faber, lunch
room and cigars; E. S. Rosecrans, clothing; W. B. McCrea,
grocer; post office, Harlow E. Chadwick, postmaster; Clifford
Knapp, plumber and auto dealer; Joseph A. Roesler, grocer;
William Leslie, implements and coal; Griffith & Moore,
automobiles; L. T. Moore, harness and buggies; Ventler and
Klingebiel, implements and automobiles; C. S. Kron, hotel and
restaurant; G. A. Hamel, general merchandise; George Van Ness,
barber; George Geyer, harness; Henry Nelson; William Schade,
cigars, paints and oils and C. W. Jonker, jeweler, a very strong
array of very strong business men. The Illinois Northern
Utilities Company supplies Ashton with electricity and power.
Ashton has the only municipal gas plant in the county. The
streets are well lighted with 300-candle power electric lights,
one on each corner. Cement walks have been laid before every
building in Ashton and every vacant lot as well.
In Ashton Township there are five
quarries from which the very best of sandstone is taken. Once
these quarries did a thriving business, but cement now forms so
strong a competitor that but little is quarried.
Ashton Township and village lead all
other communities, except Dixon, and perhaps, Lee Center, with
macadam roads. This town has spent large sums of money for
roads. Only a short while ago $20,000 was expended in making
hard roads. Every main road in the township has been
macadamized. Ashton is blessed with one of the best local
newspapers in the State of Illinois. Mr. Ralph J. Dean, the
proprietor, makes every train; he is constantly on the alert for
locals with the result that every week he gives his readers
about eight columns of locals besides a front page full of good
matter pertaining to his locality. In connection with his print
shop which turns out the very best of job work, Mr. Dean owns
the only book store of Ashton. He is a very active wire, a money
maker and saver and I put him down as the most comfortable
newspaper man in the county.
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